Lena Dunham
Writer, Director, Actor & Producer
In this video
Lena Dunham talks about her childhood, the film that set her career in motion, her role in "Girls," and how her first book helped serve as an inspiration to millennial women entering adulthood.Dunham began making films while pursuing her undergraduate degree at Oberlin College. After she graduated in 2008, Dunham made "Tiny Furniture," a film centered on the struggles of post-grad life. In 2010, the film won Best Narrative Feature at South by Southwest — Dunham wrote, directed, and starred in the movie.
In early 2012, HBO greenlit Dunham's TV series "Girls," executive produced by Judd Apatow. Centered on a group of twenty-somethings living in New York City, the show’s consequent three seasons launched to critical acclaim. Dunham was nominated for three Emmys in 2012, then took home three Golden Globes for Girls in 2013. That same year, she also became the first woman to win a Directors Guild Award for Outstanding Director in a Comedy Series.
In 2014, Dunham published her first book, "Not That Kind of Girl: A Young Woman Tells You What She's 'Learned,'" a "series of dispatches from the frontlines of the struggle that is growing up," that ultimately serves as an inspirational guidebook for millennial women.
No stranger to women's issues, Dunham, alongside her close friend and "Girls" show runner, Jennifer Konner, created the publication Lenny Letter, a feminist online newsletter that was unveiled in 2015. Her sophomore book effort, "Is It Evil To Be Sure?" hit bookshelves May 2016.
More From Lena
Living Online
Lena Dunham on the power of the Internet, and why it’s fun to be in that environment.
The Way We Are Still Told to Behave
Lena Dunham on the qualities associated with “director,” and how women are told to embrace other qualities instead.
Something to Strive For
Lena Dunham on how Nora Ephron’s form of selflessness continues to inspire her.
A Guide to Growing Up
Lena Dunham spent a lot of time in the video store growing up--she talks about her favorite films.
People I'm Comfortable With
Lena Dunham on her core group of collaborators.
Many Kinds of Feminism
“There are as many kinds of feminist as there are women.”
I'm Going to Embrace This
Lena Dunham started out writing “really poorly researched” historical fiction.
What You Have to Offer
Lena Dunham talks about how she stacks up to other actors; particularly Cate Blanchett.
How My Life Was Going to Be
Growing up, Lena Dunham didn’t imagine she would be a part of this Hollywood life.
Much More Jane Austen Than That
Lena Dunham on staying in at night and the political nature of nakedness.
I've Been Making Paper Shoes
Lena Dunham constructed her creative world at a young age.
Boys Are So Boring
Lena Dunham’s early influences, and the values she came to have due to her mother’s “enthusiastic feminist parenting.”
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